Chapter 2

 

Gunner

Heading a couple miles over to the shop, I am kicking myself. I have to let Vice know I’ll be delayed a bit. Shit, I can’t just leave her there while I run around. Not one of us would touch a minor, there’s plenty of legal pussy, but I just don’t want her to be alone.

Checking my mirror, she’s still following a car length behind and I start to get nervous she’ll peel off, rethinking her decision to follow a 6’8” scar-faced, tattooed stranger through town. Mentally willing her to stick with me, I carefully use my blinkers as we make the final couple turns to the garage.

Turning in behind me, she seems to hesitate in her car, so I quickly stride over to reassure her. “Just stay here for a minute, let me talk to the guys and get you right in, okay?” I nearly plead through her opened window.

She’s biting her lower lip, but nods. Staring at her lips a moment longer than necessary, I turn and head inside.

Connal and Probie are each on separate projects and from the way it looks in here, I can tell I’ll owe them big for helping her out.

“Hey Connal, I need some help,” I yell over the music pounding throughout the room. Probie rolls out from under an Oldsmobile to acknowledge me, while Connal looks up from his project.

“Gunner, what’s up?” He says, straightening up and reaching for a rag.

“Remember that paint you got off our crash truck after the rally a few years back? This is time sensitive and pretty much the same thing,” Seeing him start to shake his head, I quickly throw out “I’ll owe you both for this. I mean it. But it’s gotta get done now.”

Looking past me towards Riley who’s still sitting in her truck, Connal lets out his breath and asks, “How bad is it?”

“Come on, but hey, see the girl? She’s a little sensitive right now and you can’t say anything or laugh at it. Got me?” I say, glaring down at him so he knows I’m serious as shit about this. After his quizzical look and nodded agreement, I turn to head back out to Riley.

Probie rolls back out from under the Olds and starts to follow us, ignoring my glare he pipes in, “Yeah, now I gotta see this.”

Rounding the driver’s side, Connal mumbles “Shit.” As the new addition to the Jeep becomes obvious. Riley steps out, nodding in Connal and Probie’s direction, her eyes dance back to me and she asks, “Can it be cleaned off? I just really have to be home tonight.”

Connal has continued straight to the graffiti and takes over, “When did this happen?”

“Like three hours ago? I’m not sure, really, I was in class. I tried to, well…” Riley points at her failed attempt at scrubbing it off, her eyes snapping back to me as I knock Probie upside the head. Fucker took one look at the SUV and the girl then started staring at the sky like he’d never seen it before. I shrug and smile at her; she instantly rewards me with a warm smile. “She’s seventeen.” I say more to myself than them, “Riley, give your keys to Connal here.”

As she starts to hand the keys over to Connal, I go for them instead not wanting her to touch him. Tossing them to him and keeping possession of her hand, I start to take her to the office.

“Wait! I need my bags!” Pulling back and opening the back door she leans in and we all see her other little problem at the same time, but fucking Probie couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

“Hey, y’know you bled through your jeans, right?”

What can only be described as a wail comes from Riley right about the same time Connal and I simultaneously turn on Probie. I slug him in the gut as Connal bellows at him. Turning, I reach around for Riley, determined to keep a hold of her this time. She follows me, running to keep up, as I lead her to the back office, that has a private bathroom.

“Stay in here, I’ll be back in an hour or so,” I start to back out but the sight of another tear escaping her gorgeous eyes stops me in my tracks. Reaching out to cup both sides of her face I slide my thumbs up her tear tracks, absorbing them. She starts to step closer to me, but closing my eyes and exhaling her scent I gently push her away. The word JAILBAIT is right on the money.

I leave her standing there to go finish my rounds and get the money to Vice. I briefly check in with Connal who has moved the truck inside and is working with some solvent to remove the tag; then I get going so I can get back to her.

I never saw this coming. I know I’ve never met a girl like her. I am so fucked.

Riley

Gunner just is super-sized. Not fat but bulky, tall and solid. The moment his huge hands cradle my face I wanted more, I wanted to have him completely wrapped around me. I felt safe, cared for, seen. To have lived my life in a big house, yet all but invisible to the owners, being seen by this rough giant feels amazing.

I stand there, silently willing the hour to speed up so I can see him again. Gradually, the feel of the bag on my shoulder sinks into my consciousness and I know I have to change before his return. My face flames red again at remembering the younger guy’s comment. Twice today, random guys felt the need to point out my unexpected period. Digging through the bag I find a pair of, thankfully black, yoga pants that I can easily wear with the t-shirt I have on.

Changing, and returning to the office, I have nothing to do but wait.

Sitting at the desk, I wrestle with the feelings I’ve had since laying eyes on Gunner less than an hour ago. Lightning bolt, at first sight type of feelings that can’t possibly exist in the real world. I have absolutely no experience with boys; well, he’s not a boy. At all. He’s got to be at least thirty?

How can I possibly express interest in him in a way that he’ll take me seriously? Did he even feel anything close to what I did when he touched me? Slapping the desk, I just get more frustrated remembering why I’m here in the first place. I’m jailbait. He won’t come near me.

Before long, I hear a motorcycle approaching. The louder the roar becomes the more excited I get; yes, seventeen-year-olds get panty-soaking excited whether or not adults want to acknowledge it. Hearing the bike cut out then footsteps approaching I start to stand, only to get my shoelace caught in the wheel of the chair as I push it backwards.

Making my day complete, I fall in a graceless heap between the chair and the desk just as he enters. I’m once again on the ground staring up at Gunner; though more embarrassed than last time.

“We gotta stop meeting like this, Sweetheart,” He’s grinning down at me and extending his hand. “You ok?”

After pulling my shoelace out of the wheel, I take his hand to stand. “I’m a little off kilter today, to be honest,” I reply with a self-deprecating grin.

“I’m gonna ask you some questions and I need you to be honest with me,” Gunner turns, sitting in one of the chairs on the other side of the desk. Reaching into his vest he pulls out cigarettes and quickly lights one. He rolls his eyes in annoyance after I crinkle my nose at the smell.

Exhaling, he sits there with narrowed eyes that are fixed on me.

“How long until you’re eighteen?”

“Eight and a half months. January 31.” I reply as I try to figure out where this is going. I see some emotion flash across his face before he closes his eyes and exhales a cloud of smoke.

“And you live here, in town?” I nod, still trying to figure out his intent.

“Yes, I go to the University in…”

“I know where it is,” He cuts in, “What are you studying?”

“Well…I’m in one program now, but I’m going to switch next year.”

“Isn’t that called Undecided, or some shit like that?”

“Typically. But in my case, it’s more like my parents told me what I would be studying and since I’m a minor,” There’s that damn word again! I think we both cringe over it as I keep babbling. “Even though I’m a high school graduate I can’t get emancipated, so I’m going to change majors next year. I’ve talked to a professor and if I keep my grades up I can probably get a partial scholarship and I’ve been saving up my allowance for living expenses.”

“What degrees are we talking about here?” He clearly can’t imagine there being an issue.

“From Pre-Med to Cyber Security.”

He laughs, “You want to be a hacker?!”

Without waiting for a reply, he shrugs and continues, “I’m thirty-two, I have a custom furniture business and do general woodwork on builds in this area. Then there are the Grizzlies, I’m the Sergeant at Arms,” He tilts his head at me, as if trying to guess how much I’ve heard about the MC that basically runs this town. A lot actually, but I won’t bring that up now.

“None of that is worth losing over…” he takes a deep drag on his cigarette as he continues to monitor me for a reaction. “Jailbait.”

“Enough!” The word explodes out of me louder and more forcefully than I expected. Walking around the desk, I continue, “I didn’t ask you for anything! I haven’t done anything to you! I…”

“Haven’t you, Sweetheart?” He asks in a deceptively low voice.

I look at him, beyond frustrated with his comment and at having nearly resorted to a rant myself. As I turn to grab my bags and leave the room, he reaches out, yanking me off my feet and dropping me onto the desk.

“Stay.” He commands, leaving me in a sitting position on the edge of the desk as he grounds out his discarded cigarette and retakes his seat.

Startled and flustered, I obey. Panting at the surprise turn this encounter has taken. Completely out of my element, I sit and wait for him to continue. He closes his eyes to stop their progression along my body and scoots his chair backwards.

“I won’t touch you again,” He starts, “not until February 1.”

My mouth drops open and my eyes shoot to his.

“I want your number but that’s not all,” He continues and I am utterly incapable of anything but sitting still and waiting for his next statement.

Pausing to light another cigarette, he continues; “No dating anyone. If you’re with someone now, you fucking end it today.”

“I’m, I’m not. I, I’ve never been with anyone.” I stutter in reply to his silence. My statement causes him to curl his hands into fists and growl. I mean actually growl.

Leaning forward in his chair, he is fighting his pledge not to touch me again; I can see that in his eyes and I revel in it. Exhaling, he slides his chair further back towards the door as the smoke curls over his head.

“There will be no contact between us, unless you need anything. If anything happens – another incident like today, which I will be looking into and I will make it stop – you reach out to me,” He commands and I know he means it. I also know I should be freaked out and running away right now. But cigarettes and all, I’d be much happier curled into his lap.

“Give me your phone,” He holds out his hand to me and I almost reach for it. Stopping myself when he curls his fingers into a fist, I shake my head to clear it and reach into my bag for my phone. Taking it, he dials his own phone from it.

“Save the number.” He says, handing it back.

I quickly do so while trying to absorb what he has said and watching him as he awaits my reaction. I know I have to assert myself. I want him, I’m too young for him right now but I refuse to sit meekly at home while he’s out fucking his way through the state. “What happens February 1?”

“Well, that’ll be a discussion for adults to explore, Sweetheart.” He finally replies, drawing out the word ‘explore’ in a way that leaves no doubt what he wants to explore.

Squeezing my legs together draws his eyes towards the exact area of my body that has been throbbing since his return. That tempo is increasing by the moment and from the smirk on his face, he knows it too.

“This has to go both ways,” I mumble. Not sure how to tell this man what I expect of him.

“What’s that, Sweetheart?” He looks back up at my face, raising an eyebrow.

Studying my red Converse’s for all I’m worth, I finally form the words, “You want me to wait for you? Not to be with anyone else? I will, but only if you will.”

Silence. But the silence isn’t empty, it is very full. I know he’s staring at me and I’ll have to look up eventually and I’m gradually starting to feel pleased he isn’t laughing, nor did he walk out. That has to be good, right?

“Come again?” He asks very quietly.

OK, come on! It’s less than a year! Miffed, I scoot off the desk and square my shoulders. This guy wants to punch my V card? He can flipping earn it.

“I’m not a complete idiot. I’ve heard there are girls that, you know, do whatever for the MC. And whoever else you come across. You asked something of me, I want the same from you!” My voice gets louder as I go on; the office door is open and I’m hoping that no one is in the waiting area, as that would really top off this banner day.

“Just to be clear. You don’t want any hands, mouth, tits, pussy, or ass in contact with my hands, mouth, or dick until after our next…discussion?” I know he is going for shock value but I cannot help the look on my now beet red face. Looking him in the eye, he knows damn well no one has ever spoken to me this way and wants to give me a chance to run or back down. To know who he is and what he would expect.

As I start to speak, he throws in, “Or for me to watch others go at it while getting myself off?”

Gunner

Her blush explodes simultaneously on her chest, visible through her white V-neck t-shirt, her neck, and her cheeks. Her jaw slackens, making me recite Jailbait over and over again in my mind. I don’t think she’s made up her mind yet of whether to hit me or take off, but I had started grinning when her small hands had curled up tight by the time I got to ‘tits’. Little Riley does have a backbone, alright.

Riley’s next move really surprises me. She sits down again, her back is still ramrod straight and she crosses her arms across her chest; which push her tits forward. “Yep, no one’s anything on any of you. And the other, I mean, I guess people watch porn?”

Fuck. This girl blushes anymore and she’ll be in the burn unit. But I love that she isn’t backing down.

“I meant watching in the flesh, Sweetheart, not porn,” She really needs to stop making that “O” shape with her mouth.

“I’d rather you didn’t.” So prim and proper, like we’re discussing something mundane.

Waiting until her eyes make their way back to mine; I know I’m going to agree to this. But, fuck! That’s a long time, I haven’t screwed anyone in a couple weeks as it is. I guess I went through it during my deployments to Afghanistan though.

“I give you my word.”

A megawatt smile lights up her face like nothing I’ve ever seen. She bounces back off the desk and takes a step towards me but I hold up my hand to keep her back, sliding my chair backwards again. “Really?” She asks.

Standing, my chair gets pushed back through the door. I get that she doesn’t know me yet, but that shit won’t fly with me. “I give my word on something, I mean it. A hundred percent. Don’t question me on that, got it?” Towering over her, she takes a step back; that little movement pisses me off but I have no right to pull her towards me. Where she belongs.